Middle Tennessee Rural Reentry
About Us
Established on July 1, 2007, Middle Tennessee Rural Reentry (MTRR), a non-profit organization, has three major goals:
-
Reduce recidivism of inmates served at the Franklin County Jail
-
Train inmates to become productive members of society by addressing their criminogenic needs
-
Help improve public safety
In order to achieve these goals, the following classes and services are provided to eligible incarcerated adults.
Screening and Assessments –
-
Risk and needs assessments
-
Interest and aptitude assessments
Job Readiness – This class trains participants in areas necessary to secure and keep a job. Training consists of: Resume Development, Correct Application Completion, Appropriate Interviewing Skills, “Dress for Success,” How to Maintain Employment and Acceptable Work Behaviors.
Moral Reconation Therapy - The MRT workbook, How to Escape Your Prison, uses a 12 step program designed to help individuals break self-destructive cycles. The goal is to change the way they think and make positive choices.
Counseling – Substance Abuse and Mental Health counseling is provided to participants to address addiction and/or mental health issues.
Parenting - These classes are provided through a partnership with Campora Family Resource Center in Winchester, TN. The area of concentration is centered on the participant being a responsible parent.
Job Placement Assistance – In order to achieve a life change that will help encourage participants from re-offending, they are assisted with acquiring employment upon release. Our goal is to help participants gain employment in fields that match their interests, aptitudes and abilities and become productive members of society.
Post-Release Services –
-
Job Readiness, if needed
-
Case Management
-
Job Placement Assistance
-
Assistance in securing ID’s, Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards
-
Referrals for Housing and Transportation
-
Assistance in follow-up with probation and parole
-
Assistance with application for health care
-
Referrals for Health and Human Services
-
Assistance in follow-up with substance abuse and mental health services
-
12 month follow-up
MTRR Board of Directors
Scott Crago, Chairperson
Michelle Earle, Vice Chairperson
Sofia Leon-Meza, Secretary
Greg Ferguson
Barbara Finney
Tina Gifford
Scotty McKay
Brain Travis
Dave Van Buskirk
Eric Vanzant
Victim Impact Training - Victim Impact is a “victim-first” curriculum focused on crime and justice topics with an emphasis on accountability. The curriculum dissects these topics so the participants are able to learn about the impact their actions are having on their victims.
Franklin County Prevention Coalition – Services are offered to the children of Reentry participants.
High School Equivalency – Classes are offered to inmates through a partnership with South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance.
Health Education Classes – The Franklin County Health Department provides Health Education classes to participants.
MTRR Staff
Christine Hopkins, Executive Director
Lisa Pendleton, Information Systems/Office Manager
James Cantrell, Post-Release Case Manager
Franklin County Reentry Staff
Dale Hatcher, Instructor
Michelle Perkins, Case Manager
Jesse Ayers, Counselor
Paige Lowe, Counselor
Dinah Walker, Counselor
Leslie Johnson, Case Manager
Kelly McComb, Assessment Specialist
Pat Brandenstein, Business Developer
Partners
Campora Family Resource Center
Franklin County Health Department
Franklin County Prevention Coalition
South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance
Program Funding
Reentry is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Franklin County Government, and Tennessee State Department of Corrections. MTRR operates under a Board of Directors and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's policy of non-discrimination, MTRR does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability in its policies, or in admission or access to, or treatment in, its services or activities.